It is quite a sight to see what people have constructed to make this three-day journey over land, roads, sand dunes, and water. And in the interest of having a great time, they plunge ahead with joy, great spirit, and absolute mirth.
The local newspaper article had this wonderful quote, "The day came replete with shouts of 'For the Glory!' saluting the late Ferndale artist Hobart Brown, the race’s 'Glorious Founder.' Brown’s inspiration demonstrates 'adults having fun so children will want to grow older.'”
We discovered this year that the race goes right past our street corner on their way out of town. So after we walked around the plaza we headed home for a snack and then back down the street to see them in action.
It is an utter delight to watch them pedal out of town. Smiling and laughing is simply contagious.
Last year we headed out to Eureka on the 2nd day of the race to watch the sculptures get ready for their plunge into Humboldt Bay for the water part of the race. This year we decided to forgo the crowds there and the crazy intense winds off the bay. So, we watched the adventure live streaming on the computer. No, it's not the same at all, but still we were hooting and hollering and cheering right here in our living room. (The above photo is from the local newspaper. It shows the sculpture Tempus Fugitorium transformed and ready for the water. Interestingly, this is the newspaper's own team racing here!)
We did get to see Dragonass get into the water. It took them two tries, and it was amazing to watch them turn that beast around, head back up the ramp, turn around again and make their way out into the bay. Great teamwork and strength. I took a photo of the screen to share here.
The Kinetic Sculpture race is simply not to be missed. We were so inspired by it we dusted off and de-cob-webbed our bicycles on Sunday and went for a ride around the neighborhood. We love this race. For the glory!